Celestial
Gossip for
January, February, and March 2009

n
the last
episode,
we left Saturn retreating into solitude,
and
he now turns retrograde as well, leaving his
concerns with productivity and careful planning
nearly forgotten as we move into 2009.

Now
the energy shifts from the pragmatic to the
idealistic, as Jupiter leaves success-conscious
Capricorn and steps starry-eyed into Aquarius, with
Mercury at his side. Jupiter in Aquarius takes up
the mantle of philosopher-poet, creatively (if
somewhat long-windedly) painting his vision of a
better world and what must change to bring it into
being. Mercury is splendid as his publicist and
commentator, although he sometimes carries on long
after the point has been made. The first week or so
of January finds these two buzzing with new ideas
and plans for magnificent reforms. This flurry of
inventiveness simmers down some after the 11th,
when Mercury goes retrograde and becomes less
loquacious, although he remains close to Jupiter
for some time before slipping back into Capricorn.
Jupiter, however, has plenty of time to create the
brave new world of his dreams; he remains in
Aquarius for the entire year and then some. By
mid-January, the Sun joins the party, entering
Aquarius on the 19th and being conjunct with
Jupiter four days later. His presence gives some
personal potency to Jupiter's new persona. Their
optimism is infectious and engaging. Gloomy old
Saturn, although aided by an ill-tempered Mars and
glaring across the heavens at a decidedly dreamy
and unfocused Venus, can't find much traction for
his cynicism and pragmatism at this time. Jupiter
and his companions have the spotlight, and they
know it.

In
February, things become more dynamic, as Mercury
goes direct again and heads back toward Aquarius.
Venus enters Aries and becomes bolder and more
outgoing, if somewhat less natural as she flirts
with assertiveness training. Mars loses interest in
ineffectual Saturn and comes into Aquarius himself
to join the party. Saturn is the only player left
out of the dance now, as the great reforms and
brilliant ideas of the Aquarian squad are stoked by
passions both amorous and competitive. The energies
peak just as the Sun moves into Pisces on the 18th.
His departure mellows the excitement a bit, but
doesn't much stop the flow of ideas or the ongoing
magnamimity of Jupiter; Venus and Mercury remain
his close allies as the month plays out.

March
ushers in a welcome mellowing after Jupiter's
flamboyant and energetic first act in Aquarius.
Venus goes retrograde on the 6th, and both Mercury
and Mars now follow the Sun into Pisces, leaving
Jupiter without companionship for a time. Although
the Sun resignedless accepts his stint as a moody
introvert in Pisces, Mercury and Mars are less
gracious about it, becoming grumbly, taciturn, and
uncooperative. Saturn makes a half-hearted
attempted to restore focus on the tasks at hand,
but is rejected soundly, first by the Sun and then
by Mercury, who are both off following the
meandering paths of their strange moods and
fancies. In the last week of the month, however,
the languor gives way to a new cycle of excitement
and activity, as the Sun and Mercury move into
Aries, catching up with Venus. The three now enjoy
renewed confidence, looking forwarding to aiding
Jupiter in his unfinished business during
April.

*
* *

This
surge of Aquarian energy, dominated by Jupiter's
powerful presence, coincides with the inauguration
of a new president, who carries the hopes and
ideals of many Americans on his shoulders as we
step into a new future. Regardless of your own
political persuasion, anticipation of meaningful
change is in the air now, and you are being invited
to tap into it. Take a fresh look at your own
activities and plans and brighten them with novel
approaches. Don't be shy about thinking outside the
box and indulging your creative side.

Mercury's
retrograde in January should be less problematic
than most, with so much verbal energy at our
disposal from the other Aquarian planets. A little
extra caution to avoid misunderstanding should be
sufficient.

Use
the Piscean down time in March to reflect on your
options. Step back from the intellectual approach
to innovation and just get a sense of how your new
ideas feel, how they sit with your spirit.
Such introspection will be well reward after the
equinox, when it will be "full speed ahead" with
less opportunity for reflection.